Living In The Town of Elon and Surrounding Communities

Elon Students are among the most wonderful and respectful in the world but there are some occasions where students’ behaviors on and off campus are inconsistent with Town of Elon and University standards. As a resident within the Town of Elon it is also important that our students are good neighbors and are respectful of all residents, including those who are not students.

Expectations about the Elon Honor Code extend to student behaviors in the surrounding Elon community.  As members of the greater Elon community, students are reminded that in addition to the University Honor Code and Code of Conduct, they are accountable for Town of Elon laws and ordinances and state and federal laws. Elon University holds students accountable for their actions on and off campus. It is important that all students (whether you live on or off campus) be familiar with these ordinances and abide by them.

Town Police and University Police reports are shared with University Student Conduct staff each week for review and adjudication on campus. Other municipalities also share reports occasionally. This includes any violations of university policy that occur in the Town of Elon and in other locations while at academic, club, or organization events outside of the community (Study Abroad, club retreats, etc.). Students are held accountable until they graduate (including all breaks) or disenroll from the University, and university consequences can include suspension and fines. Students may go through the University Student Conduct System concurrent to the criminal or civil systems.

Coming Together to Promote Respect: The Neighborhood Coalition

Elon University and The Town of Elon  partner to coordinate the Neighborhood Coalition. This group meets periodically to address issues and discuss strategies/opportunities to promote positive neighborhood relationships in the Town of Elon for students and non-student residents. Questions about the Neighborhood Coalition may be directed to deanofstudents@elon.edu.

The Town of Elon is a great place to live! Students who live in the Town of Elon who have questions or want to learn more about resources for living in the Town of Elon will want to consult the Town of Elon website.

Updating Your Cell Phone Number, Off-Campus Address, and Emergency Contact Information

If a student’s address or phone number changes at any time, they must notify the Registrar immediately. It is essential that the university have current information to contact students about official academic matters and in case of emergency. Students may not be able to access important information without updated and correct information. The university requests students maintain their current cell phone numbers, updated physical off-campus address, and an emergency contact in OnTrack for emergency use; cell phone numbers will not be released without permission of the student. Students may complete the address change form online from the Office of the Registrar’s website. We urge you to update this information immediately so that emergency response personnel can reach you or your designated emergency contact in the event of an emergency.

Pedestrian and Motorist Safety

Walking and biking are healthy and more environmentally sustainable alternatives to driving. The campus and surrounding town are beautiful areas to walk! Students will want to be reminded to pay attention to traffic and obey traffic laws in and around the Town of Elon. Pedestrians have the right of way ONLY if they cross in designated crosswalks. A few core messages:

• Cross only at designated crosswalks! Follow safety signals at crosswalks with stop lights and stop at crosswalks before you continue.  Pay attention to cars turning as you cross in the crosswalk.
• Stay alert at all times and avoid distracted walking! Do not walk while texting, talking on the phone or wearing ear phones.  Acknowledge drivers before you cross the street.
• Walk/run in well-lit and safe areas. Use areas with sidewalks or designated walking trails. Do not walk/run alone, especially at night.

Bicyclists should review the Town Ordinances regarding safe cycling on the Town of Elon website. Be attentive on your bike and always wear a helmet!

Elon University and The NC Railroad Commission are working to increase awareness about safety regulations and railroad properties. Below are a few critical points to remember:

• Anyone walking on railroad tracks or in the corridor should move away from the track. They can be cited for trespassing. (Strat. 14-280.1 in the N.C. criminal and Vehicle Handbook states: “(a)Offense. A person commits the offense of trespassing on railroad right-of-way if the person enters and remains on the railroad right-of-way without the consent of the railroad company or the person operating the railroad or without authority granted pursuant to State or federal law.)
• Tracks should only be crossed at designated locations where there are gates. Pedestrians should use the tunnel or cross ONLY at intersections where there are safety gates.  “Jumping the fence” is illegal and is dangerous. Higher speed train traffic is increasing and the few extra steps it takes to use the tunnel or cross at a designated intersection could save a life.
• Pedestrians should look both ways before crossing a rail road crossing; pedestrians should never cross if the gates are down.
• Motorists should always stop when crossing gates are down and/or lights are flashing. If a crossing is not signalized, stop, look, and listen before proceeding through the crossing.

Parking in the Town of Elon

Students are reminded to follow all parking ordinances and regulations in the Town of Elon, especially regarding parking on the street and in residential neighborhoods. This includes:

• Park on the street only in designated areas (with signs). There are signs to indicate where and when on-street parking is allowed. If there is not a sign allowing parking in an area, you should assume you CANNOT park there and are subject to ticketing and, in some instances, towing.
• If street parking is allowed in an area (as designated), make sure you are not blocking access to driveways and mailboxes and you leave plenty of space for waste management trucks and mail vehicles.  Again, you could be subject to ticketing or in some instances, towing.
• Reminder: Students can park in the large south Ellington Center lot (near Student Health Services) lot (without a permit).  This lot provides easy and safe access to all south campus facilities and easy access to other parts of campus via the tunnel to main campus.

Student Safety Off-Campus

While incidents of intruders or other potentially dangerous situations around Town and campus are rare, students are reminded to call 9-1-1 immediately to report suspicious persons, intruders, or other emergencies.  The Town and/or University Police will respond and investigate.  Time is of the essence so report these situations to the police directly as quickly as possible.

Use the Rave Guardian App: The Rave Guardian App gives users two-way communication direct to Campus Safety & Police. Students and employees can share information – anonymously, if they choose to – through text, photo, or video directly from their smart phones. Additionally, app users can receive important broadcast notifications sent by the Elon University Police Department.

Students are reminded to follow basic safety rules regarding property:

• Keep your doors and windows locked.
• Report suspicious persons  or situations to 9-1-1 immediately.
• Report broken locks, windows, lights, windows, other safety concerns to your landlord immediately.
• Keep your car locked at all times and do not leave valuables visible. The highest risk of crime in the Town of Elon is vehicle break-ins. Most of the vehicle break-ins involving students involved unlocked car doors. Also, in the few instances where cars were stolen from off campus residences in 2021-2022, 100% involved the key “fob” being left in the vehicle and the doors unlocked.

Noise and Community Appearance Standards

Being a good neighbor also means being respectful of noise levels and behavior in town whether it is in the day time or late at night. Generally, most noise complaints are made at night although any citizen can request that the authorities handle a noise issue or disturbance at any time, especially if it is disruptive.

Town Officials received several complaints about noise, parties, and trash in the Town of Elon last year. The Town and the University work together to respond to these complaints and to resolve them. Many times, this involves contacting owner/landlords of the property and can involve fines up to $500.00 per day. If the behavior is deemed a violation of the student Code of Conduct, the situation can also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Important Ordinances/laws to remember:

• Town Noise Violations: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to create or assist in creating any unreasonably loud, disturbing sound levels in the Town (especially between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.); or loud noise near any school, educational facility, church, or court during normal operating hours.  Penalties for these violations can be expensive.
• Trash/Furniture and Community Standards: Students who reside in or visit in the Town are also reminded to be good stewards of the properties where they live. Below are specific ordinances to help you be aware of what is within acceptable guidelines. If you are planning an event, you will want to keep these ordinances in mind as you clean-up after an event.
  • Trash and Littering Violations: It is unlawful for any person to throw, drop, or leave any deteriorated household materials, waste material, unusable building materials or any other trash on any public or private properties within the corporate limits of the Town Penalty. Fines and penalties can exceed $ 350.00. We have received some feedback from Town residents that students are not moving trash receptacles off the curb in a timely manner. As soon as trash/recycling are picked up, put your containers back near your residence in a safe place.
• Community Appearance Standards: The existence of any indoor furniture, appliances, junk, etc. on any porch, yard, or open space on the exterior of a building is unlawful and a violation of town ordinances. Keep all trash and recyclables in designated containers. Do not allow trash and debris to overflow on to the ground.
• Occupancy Ordinances: Students are reminded that town ordinances prohibit more than three unrelated persons from occupying a single dwelling. Talk with your property owner about this ordinance and make sure you are in compliance.  If you have questions about whether your residence is subject to this ordinance, please contact Town of Elon staff. Town officials are obligated to enforce this policy if it is reported to them, and the court system has upheld all challenges to this ordinance.

If you have questions code/ordinance enforcement, please contact Town of Elon staff.

Alcohol Policies, Enforcement and Social Events (Parties)

Alcohol and Enforcement

Students are reminded that Town of Elon officials and Elon  University Campus  Police are obligated to enforce local and state laws regarding alcohol consumption and parties. Off-campus violations are also referred to the University for review for Honor Code/Student Code of Conduct violations. Some of the more common laws are listed below as a reminder. It is also important to remember that other agencies periodically assist the Town of Elon Police to enforce these laws. Law enforcement may increase their activity if they become aware of the potential for large and disruptive events.

An officer may require anyone under the age of 21 to submit to a chemical analysis if there is probable cause that the person is under the influence of alcohol.  Refusal to submit to a chemical analysis test for an implied-consent offense (e.g., impaired driving) will result in loss of driver’s license for one year, more in certain circumstances.

If the police/law enforcement  arrive at a party or approach you on the street, remain calm and  be cooperative. Follow the instructions of the officers. In instances where parties or groups have the potential to become disruptive or dangerous, Town of Elon police may request assistance from other law enforcement entities to address the situation. While Town of Elon Police officers make every effort to  calmly address individuals  large off campus parties that may be causing a disturbance,  students are reminded that if they host/attend an off-campus party they may also be subject to intervention by other law enforcement entities.

Highlights of Alcohol Laws (State and Local)

It is illegal for anyone less than 21 to:

• Possess and/or consume alcoholic beverages.
• Purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages

It is illegal for anyone to:

• Aid and abet in the sale, purchase and/or possession of alcohol (including giving alcohol) by anyone less than 21 years of age.
• Use or attempt to use to obtain alcoholic beverages when not of lawful age, a fraudulent or altered identification document.
• Permit the use of one’s driver’s license or any other identification document by any person under 21 to purchase or attempt to purchase or possess alcohol.
• Consume any alcoholic beverage on any public street, alley, or sidewalk, or on any public property within the corporate limits of the Town of Elon.
• Consume or transport open container alcoholic beverages in any public area including City Street, sidewalks, town-maintained buildings, bus or municipal parking lots and town recreation areas. The exception will be the designated Tow of Elon social district.

Hosting Parties and Events

One of the biggest responsibilities of living off campus is managing the freedom to have parties and social events.  Being a responsible host is achievable if you keep these tips in mind. It is important to be aware that as a host, you may be held responsible for criminal and civil penalties and campus conduct violations.

The following tips are not exhaustive, but are good things to remember:

• Inform your neighbors when you are having a party; encourage them to tell you if it is getting too loud, rather than them calling the police first.  If you get a call, adjust party to acceptable noise and occupancy levels.
• Follow Town of Elon Noise Ordinances, state laws and University policies regarding alcohol consumption. Remember, the police have an obligation to intervene, and those citations are referred to the University. Warnings are not required; usually no more than one warning will be issued by police  to a location before citations are issued. If an event is highly disruptive or students are not cooperative, officers may issue citations without a warning.
• Town laws and ordinances regarding safety and disturbances are in effect 24/7.
• Keep parties to a controllable amount of people (25 or fewer people). Know who is in your home.
• Pay attention and plan for fire safety . Make sure that exit doors and windows are not blocked and that all guests could exit safely. This includes making sure there is a safe exit in residences with fences.
• Be sure there is ample parking for guests. Provide alternative parking areas or encourage guests to use rideshares or carpool. Do not have guests park on the streets if it is prohibited or blocks access.  Do not block roads or driveways and be sure guests and emergency personnel can enter and exit the property in their cars without problems.
• If party-crashers arrive at your party or the party begins to get out of control, call the Town of Elon Police Department (9-1-1) and let them assist you.
• Be aware of your responsibilities if you serve or allow alcohol at any off-campus event. As a social host, you are responsible for every guest at your event, even if they bring their own alcohol. Monitoring alcohol consumption by your guests will allow you to make the right decision about their safety.  If someone becomes ill or non-responsive, call 9-1-1 immediately.  If you have questions about the Good Samaritan policy and/or the Medical Safety policy, please see the Student Handbook.
• Do not allow anyone under the influence to drive away- you could be liable if they or someone else are injured. Rideshare programs (Uber, Lyft), cabs, E-Rides or designated drivers are good alternatives to guests driving under the influence.
• Clean up the property and house/apartment immediately following the event (not the next day or after several hours). Put all trash and recyclables in proper containers and secure them.

Attending Parties and Events

As a party guest, you also have responsibilities to yourself, other guests, the host, and Town of Elon residents.  Some tips for party guests:

• Do not go to parties at homes where you do not know the hosts.
• Always go in pairs or groups of folks you know and trust- NEVER alone or with those you do not know.
• Do not consume alcohol unless you are of legal drinking age.
• If you are 21 or older, consume alcohol in a low-risk manner.
• Do not leave a party with a container of alcohol. If the police have reason to believe you may have been drinking, they can intervene.
• If you attend a party off campus, be attentive to your friends and high-risk situations. If you see them engaging in dangerous situations, intervene. Call 9-1-1 immediately if someone becomes ill or cannot respond. If the situation involves a potentially high-risk sexual encounter, step in and divert the situation. More by-stander and risky situation intervention tips can be found on the Campus Recreation and Wellness website.
• If you do not know what’s in your drink, don’t drink it. Make your own drinks if possible so you know exactly what and how much goes in your cup. Do not consume an open beverage handed to you by a stranger.
• Make sure there is a plan for everyone to get home safely.  Don’t allow anyone under the influence to drive away or walk alone. E-Rides, rideshare services, cabs, or designated drivers are good alternatives. If walking, stay on sidewalks in well-lit areas and keep noise to a minimum.
• Be respectful of Town of Elon residents and their property when you leave parties or town establishments. Do not walk on personal property, be very quiet, and be respectful of property.

If you have questions about hosting parties or  Town of Elon Police or law enforcement, please contact Town of Elon staff.